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Juliet glanced at Estella over her shoulder with an approving smile. “Good.”

The housekeeper guided Juliet through the grand hallways of Islington Hall and finally steered her towards Juliet’s room.

“Why are we returning to my room?” Juliet asked, unable to remain quiet.

She couldn’t understand why the house tour had ended at her door.

“There is something I would like to show you, Your Grace,” Estella replied, pushing open a door adjacent to Juliet’s chambers and turning to face Juliet. “The Duke had requested that we clear out this room.”

Juliet’s eyes widened as she took in the expansive room before her. “What is this place?”

Estella’s lips curled into a mischievous smile. “His Grace did not specify, but I suspect it is meant to become the nursery, given its proximity to your room.”

Juliet’s throat tightened as she stepped into the room. Her heart expanded with the realization that Hector had made plans for a nursery. However, she felt unsettled by his failure to consult with her.

The room’s grandeur and its promise of a future she hadn’t yet considered weighed heavily on her heart. She hurried further into the room, only then noticing the flurry of activity as staff scurried about.

“Your Grace,” the staff greeted.

“Please continue,” Juliet said, giving them a warm smile before moving aside. She still couldn’t digest what was unfolding around her. She now understood what Hector had been up to last night.

“The Duke won’t appreciate any further delays,” a young maid’s voice trembled as she dusted the mantelpiece, her hands shaking slightly as she worked.

The housekeeper glanced at Juliet and watched the bustling activity in the room.

“Am I the reason she is on edge?” Juliet asked the housekeeper. “No need to be so nervous,” she said as she stepped closer to the maid. “You are doing everything correctly.”

The young maid startled, and her eyes widened as the Duchess approached, and she accidentally knocked a delicate vase from the table which shattered loudly on the stone floor.

Juliet gasped and crouched down to help her pick up the pieces.

“Oh, no! Are you all right?” she asked.

The maid was mortified, her face pale as she stammered an apology. “I am so deeply sorry, Your Grace! I…I did not mean to…”

“It is just a vase,” Juliet interrupted with a warm smile, dismissing the girl’s fears with a wave of her hand. “Accidents happen. There is no need to worry.”

“But Your Grace…”

Juliet shook her head, cutting off any further protest. “Truly, it is fine. Let us clean this up, shall we?” She reached for a dustpan and handed it to the girl. Grabbing a glove from the table, she picked up the shards on the floor.

The other maids watched in stunned silence, their eyes wide as they saw their new Duchess kneeling on the floor and picking up broken porcelain alongside them.

Leila covered her mouth to stifle a laugh at the sight, but the housekeeper shot her a stern glare to silence her before she could utter a sound.

“Why are you all so ill at ease?” Juliet asked as she continued to pick up the pieces. “Does my presence frighten you?”

The maids exchanged nervous glances before the girl who had broken the vase whispered an answer.

“No, Your Grace. It’s just…we are not used to, well…someone of your standing being so…kind.”

Juliet paused in her task and looked up at the maid in genuine surprise.

“Kindness costs nothing,” she said simply. “And it certainly makes life easier, does it not?”

Estella, who had been watching the exchange with a blend of approval and concern, finally spoke up. “Your Grace, you needn’t trouble yourself with this. The domestics are here to serveyou.”

Juliet stood up, brushing off her hands as she looked around at the gathered servants. “I am not troubled at all, Mrs. Harris. In fact, I find it quite satisfying to help where I can. Besides,” she added with a slight smile, “I believe I should become more involved in things around here. The earlier, the better. Do you disagree?”